Josephine County Courts Expedite Sentencing to Lower Inmate Counts

Since May 24th, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Department is expediting sentencing whenever possible to get the adult jail population to their target of 60. As a result, 12 inmates that would have otherwise been released until their trial are now being shipped to state prison to serve their sentences. The sentenced inmates charges included a variety of sexual offenses, property crimes, possession of meth and parole or probation violations.

Since May 16th, there have also been 9 suspects that were not charged in the last 2 weeks, partly due to insufficient resources. Those suspects faced charges that included, but weren’t limited to third degree rape and sodomy, child neglect, felon in possession of a firearm, and other offenses.

The Sheriff’s department says release decisions are made by the jail commander or sergeants, and take various factors into consideration, including the seriousness of the charges, and mandates from the courts or the District Attorney’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office will notify the public of the date and time for the releases; however, for safety reasons, that information will be withheld until closer to the event.